Nigeria’s energy transition agenda will take a decisive spotlight in July 2026 as leading power sector executive and energy entrepreneur, Kola Adesina, headlines the Oriental News National Conference with a high-level policy and industry dialogue on decarbonisation in the country’s extractive sector.
The summit, organised by Oriental News Nigeria, is scheduled for Thursday, 23 July 2026, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, starting at 9:30 a.m.
Now in its fifth edition, the 2026 conference is expected to convene top government officials, regulators, energy executives, financial institutions, and climate policy experts at a time Nigeria is accelerating efforts toward its net-zero emissions target by 2060.
Carbon Capture and Regulatory Reform at the Centre of 2026 Dialogue
This year’s theme, “Carbon Capture: Accelerating Decarbonization Initiatives in Nigeria’s Extractive Industry Through Broad Regulatory Reforms,” reflects growing urgency around climate governance and energy sector transformation.
The discussion comes as the National Assembly continues legislative work on the proposed National Decarbonisation Bill, designed to strengthen Nigeria’s climate legal framework beyond the Climate Change Act 2021.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has intensified sector-wide reforms through its Decarbonisation Blueprint and Handbook, aimed at guiding emissions reduction, gas flaring control, and operational efficiency in upstream petroleum operations.
Industry analysts say these reforms signal a tightening regulatory environment for fossil fuel operators and a shift toward compliance-driven sustainability strategies across Nigeria’s energy value chain.
Kola Adesina to Drive Industry-Leading Conversations
As keynote lead, Kola Adesina—who also chairs Ikeja Electric and previously led Egbin Power Plc—will provide insights into Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape, particularly the role of oil, gas, and power firms in balancing energy security with decarbonisation goals.
He is expected to spotlight the transition strategy of Sahara Group, which has committed to a 2060 net-zero pathway anchored on three strategic pillars: cleaner energy transition, operational efficiency, and nature-based climate solutions.
The group is currently expanding investments in natural gas as a transition fuel, scaling renewable energy deployment across emerging markets, and advancing reforestation and carbon offset initiatives across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Nigeria’s Energy Transition Under Scrutiny
The sub-theme of the summit, “Addressing Finance Challenges, Investment Strategies, Operational Sustainability, and Climate Change Management,” is expected to dominate panel discussions and technical sessions.
Key stakeholders will examine:
Financing gaps limiting renewable energy expansion
The pace of gas flaring reduction initiatives
Investment risks in low-carbon infrastructure
Adoption of carbon capture and storage technologies
Policy harmonisation under Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP)
Experts will also evaluate global decarbonisation trends, particularly how oil-producing nations are responding to intensifying climate regulations, investor pressure, and technological disruption.
Stakeholders to Engage Across Energy and Finance Ecosystem
The summit is expected to draw participants from petroleum regulators, upstream and downstream operators, manufacturing industries, financial institutions, and development partners.
Speaking ahead of the event, Convener and Publisher of Oriental News Nigeria, Yemisi Izuora, said the conference continues to serve as a strategic platform for bridging policy gaps and promoting sustainable investment decisions.
According to her, the annual gathering is designed to strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors while supporting Nigeria’s long-term economic growth and environmental sustainability objectives.
Technology and Innovation in Focus
Beyond policy discussions, the summit will spotlight emerging decarbonisation technologies including:
Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS)
Low-carbon hydrogen systems
Digital emissions tracking and smart energy tools
Alternative and biofuel solutions
Participants are expected to assess how these innovations can be scaled within Nigeria’s oil, gas, petrochemical, and manufacturing industries amid persistent infrastructure and financing challenges.
Platform for Actionable Energy Transition Outcomes
Organisers say the 2026 edition will move beyond theoretical discussions to practical implementation pathways, focusing on how operators can integrate sustainability into core business operations.
The summit will also provide a networking platform for vendors, producers, investors, and regulators to align on decarbonisation strategies, regulatory compliance, and investment opportunities in Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape.
According to the organisers, the 2026 Oriental News Summit in Lagos will bring together industry stakeholders to examine Nigeria’s oil sector decarbonisation efforts, carbon capture initiatives, energy transition reforms, and the investment challenges associated with achieving the country’s net-zero emissions target by 2060.
Discover more from Ameh News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
